William M. Richardson
Encyclopedia
William Merchant Richardson (January 4, 1774 - March 15, 1838) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts
. He was born in Pelham, New Hampshire
in 1774. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1797; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Groton, Massachusetts
, in 1804. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth Congress
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph B. Varnum; and was reelected to the Thirteenth Congress
and served from November 4, 1811, to April 18, 1814, when he resigned.
Richardson moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire
, in 1814. He became a United States Attorney
in 1814; and in 1816 was appointed chief justice of New Hampshire
and served until his death. He died in Chester, New Hampshire
in 1838, and is buried in the Old Cemetery there.
He was the uncle of William Adams Richardson
who was United States Secretary of the Treasury
from 1873 to 1874.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He was born in Pelham, New Hampshire
Pelham, New Hampshire
The earliest census data shows the town of Pelham having a population of 543 residents in 1767.As of the census of 2000, there were 10,914 people, 3,606 households, and 2,982 families residing in the town. The population density was 412.9 people per square mile . There were 3,740 housing units at...
in 1774. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1797; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Groton, Massachusetts
Groton, Massachusetts
Groton is a town located in northwestern Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The population was 10,646 at the 2010 census. It is home to two noted prep schools: Groton School, founded in 1884, and Lawrence Academy at Groton, founded in 1793. The historic town hosts the National Shepley Hill Horse...
, in 1804. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth Congress
12th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :During this congress, one new House seat was added for the new state of Louisiana.- Senate :*President: George Clinton *President pro tempore: William H. Crawford -House of Representatives:*Speaker: Henry Clay...
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph B. Varnum; and was reelected to the Thirteenth Congress
13th United States Congress
- Senate :* President: Elbridge Gerry , until November 23, 1814, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore: Joseph B. Varnum , December 6, 1813 – February 3, 1814** John Gaillard , elected November 25, 1814- House of Representatives :...
and served from November 4, 1811, to April 18, 1814, when he resigned.
Richardson moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
, in 1814. He became a United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
in 1814; and in 1816 was appointed chief justice of New Hampshire
New Hampshire Supreme Court
The New Hampshire Supreme Court is the supreme court of the U. S. state of New Hampshire and sole appellate court of the state. The Supreme Court is seated in the state capital, Concord. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices appointed by the Governor and Executive...
and served until his death. He died in Chester, New Hampshire
Chester, New Hampshire
Chester is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2010 census. It is home to Chester College .-History:Incorporated in 1722, Chester once included Candia, set off in 1763...
in 1838, and is buried in the Old Cemetery there.
He was the uncle of William Adams Richardson
William Adams Richardson
William Adams Richardson was an American judge and politician.Born in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, he graduated from Pinkerton Academy, Lawrence Academy at Groton, and attended Harvard University, graduating in 1843....
who was United States Secretary of the Treasury
United States Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of the Treasury of the United States is the head of the United States Department of the Treasury, which is concerned with financial and monetary matters, and, until 2003, also with some issues of national security and defense. This position in the Federal Government of the United...
from 1873 to 1874.